Tuesday, May 31, 2016

The
California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR), Office of
Victim and Survivor Rights and Services (OVSRS), is pleased to announce Live
Chat victim services.

Victims and concerned citizens are encouraged to access the new Live Chat
feature by visiting www.CDCR.CA.gov/victims. Live Chat will
connect the public directly to an OVSRS staff member during regular business
hours to ask questions about victim services or to stay informed about offender
locations. As a trial period, Live Chat will be available through June 30,
2016. The new technology is designed to provide convenient confidential service
from various devices including a smart phone and a computer.

OVSRS is committed to providing crime victims and their families with a voice
while serving to increase awareness about the criminal justice system. Staff
will remain available by phone at (877) 256-6877.

For
assistance with the CDCR, please contact the Office of External Affairs at
(916) 445-4950.

Friday, May 27, 2016

May is Mental Health Month, and
the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) is sporting
the lime green ribbon to reduce the stigma associated with mental health problems
and encourage support. In collaboration with California’s Mental Health
Movement: Each Mind Matters, CDCR rallied around programs to promote a
community conversation.

Each Mind Matters campaign
emphasizes the importance of these resources for offenders, and encourages information
sharing and support amongst friends, families, colleagues and communities.

“Even though one in four
Californians will experience a diagnosable mental health problem in any given
year and over half of us will at some point during our lifetime, a survey of
Californians found that 75 percent of us would definitely or probably hide a
mental health problem from coworkers or classmates.

Considering that mental health
problems are treatable and most people experience recovery, these numbers are a
concern and we should be part of the solution in changing them,” Secretary
Scott Kernan added.

Secretary Scott KernanPhoto by Scott Sabicer

In recognition of CDCR’s May is
Mental Health month, representatives from the National Alliance on Mental
Illness (NAMI), Know the Signs, California Mental Health Services Authority
(CalMHSA), Disability Rights California (DRC) and Wellness Works agencies
participated in the event.

Among the exhibiters was the Office
of Employee Health and Wellness, CDCR. The office serves as an outlet within
the Department to provide suicide prevention, program services such as peer
support or employee assistance, including other services to staff state-wide.

Looking for more tools and resources
related to California’s Mental Health Movement? Make sure to visit www.eachmindmatters.org for more information about how to support
someone with behavioral health needs or to have a positive impact in your
community.

For assistance or information or
about CDCR, please call the Office of External Affairs at

Governor Brown Announces Appointments

Jay Virbel, 50, of Sacramento, has been appointed director of the Division of Rehabilitative Programs at the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, where he has been associate director of female offender programs and services since 2012 and served as assistant deputy director of facility operations from 2011 to 2012. Virbel held several positions at the Board of Parole Hearings from 2008 to 2011, including chief deputy of program operations and chief of investigations. He was senior special agent at the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation’s Office of Internal Affairs from 2007 to 2008, where he was a special agent from 2005 to 2007. Virbel served in several positions at the California Medical Facility, Vacaville from 1994 to 2005, including lieutenant, sergeant and correctional officer. He was a correctional officer at California State Prison, Los Angeles County from 1993 to 1994. This position requires Senate confirmation and the compensation is $165,360. Virbel is a Republican.

Chad Cabral, 43, of Walnut Creek, has been appointed to the 23rd District Agricultural Association, Contra Costa County Fair Board of Directors. Cabral has been a realtor with Century 21 Real Estate since 2015 and co-owner at Cabral Livestock since 2010. He was assistant general manager for the Solano County Fair from 2008 to 2010 and general manager for the Grand National Rodeo Horse and Stock Show from 2000 to 2008. Cabral is president of the Contra Costa County 4-H Council. This position does not require Senate confirmation and there is no compensation. Cabral is a Republican.

Michael Stevens, 64, of Victorville, has been appointed to the 28th District Agricultural Association, San Bernardino County Fair Board of Directors. Stevens has been owner at Stevens Consulting Services since 2006. He was community resource officer at Keadjian Associates LLC in 2014, community liaison officer at the Mojave Water Agency from 2003 to 2012 and served in the U.S. Air Force from 1969 to 1994. Stevens is a member of Desert Communities United Way. This position does not require Senate confirmation and there is no compensation. Stevens is registered without party preference.

Linda Newman, 57, of Alturas, has been appointed to the 34th District Agricultural Association, Modoc District Fair Board of Directors. Newman is a member of the Modoc Performing Arts Theater and reunion coordinator for Newark High School Class of 1976 Reunion Committee. This position does not require Senate confirmation and there is no compensation. Newman is a Republican.

Katherine McDowell, 49, of Cobb, has been appointed to the 49th District Agricultural Association, Lake County Fair Board of Directors. McDowell has been an independent real estate broker with the Real Estate Alliance since 2015. She was an independent real estate broker from 2006 to 2015 and a real estate broker with Century 21 Real Estate from 2000 to 2006. McDowell is communications director at the Middletown Sports Boosters Club. This position does not require Senate confirmation and there is no compensation. McDowell is a Republican.

Friday, May 6, 2016

SAN DIEGO – Under the auspices of
the United States, State Department’s International Visitor Leadership Program,
Lt. Philip Bracamonte greeted a delegation of nine foreign dignitaries from the
Middle East for a planned visit of Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility
(RJDCF).

Through the use of the State
Department Arabic Speaking interpreter, Warden Daniel Paramo explained the
complex mission of the institution.Warden Paramo also spoke to the delegation about one of RJDCF’s primary functions
which is to house and treat high risk medical inmates including inmates
suffering from a mental illness.Warden
Paramo went over the state’s classification levels and the fact that RJDCF
houses both Low Level inmates to High Security Level IV inmates.

“Currently we average about 3200
inmates at RJDCF, and about 70% are in the mental health program.” Warden Paramo explained.

Warden Paramo also said, “With
the construction of a new facility almost complete, soon our inmate population
will increase by approximately 800 inmates, and so will our mental health
population.This will mean RJDCF will
have one of the highest populations of seriously mentally ill inmates to house
and provide treatment for in the state.”

Lt. Bracamonte pointed out,
“RJDCF averages about 30,000 scheduled health care appointments a month for
medical and mental health treatment for inmates.”One member of the delegation inquired if that
was for the whole state.“No, that is
for just this institution.” Lt. Bracamonte said.

The delegation was particularly
interested with how the institution deals with gang activity. Investigative
Services Unit (ISU) Officers informed the group of the different methods for
obtaining information critical to the safety and security of the institution
and the public safety for communities outside of prison walls.ISU also told the delegation about how prison
investigators often collaborate with other agencies both local and federal to
combat criminal activity.

Lt. Bracamonte explained the
inmate due process both administrative and criminal as well as the inmate work
incentive programs.Community Resource Manager
Robert Brown talked about different rehabilitative programs and inmate
voluntary programs available to inmates at the prison.One of the interesting programs was RJDCF’s
service dog program, where inmates train services dogs for children with autism
and military personnel suffering from PTSD.

The delegation toured the
institution’s Prison Industry Authority where Lisa Gularte, Prison Industry
Authority (PIA) Administrator talked about the different enterprises at the
prison and explained the pay earned and job skills learned.Ms. Gularte informed the delegation the shoe
factory was capable of producing up to 2, 000 shoes a day which are then
delivered to other prisons.

While touring the Facility B
recreational yard, members of the delegation were inquiring about the colored
vest some inmates were wearing.Warden
Paramo explained in detail to the delegation the American Disability Act
(ADA).He informed the group, the colored
vests identify certain inmates as members of ADA and prison staff will provide
inmates with equal access to services and provide effective communication.

Members of the delegation spoke
with some of the Substance Abuse Treatment Counselors, while visiting the
treatment area.RJDCF’s Principal Kathy
Balakian also talked to the delegation about Career Technical Education (CTE)
programs at the prison.Some inmates
that participate in these CTE programs can receive certificates that can be
utilized when they are released from prison.

At the conclusion of the visit the
interpreter wanted the Warden to know that the delegation expressed their
gratitude to him and his staff.Saying
they know he is a busy man with having to manage all the different operations at
the prison, but were extremely grateful to him for making time for them.They also said they were very impressed with
staff and thankful for their hospitality.